3 They replied, “The survivors who have survived the captivity there in the province are in dire trouble and disgrace; Yerushalayim’s wall is full of breaches, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”

6 Let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to receive the prayer of Your servant that I am praying to You now, day and night, on behalf of the Israelites, Your servants, confessing the sins that we Israelites have committed against You, sins that I and my father’s house have committed.

9 but if you turn back to Me, faithfully keep My commandments, even if your dispersed are at the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I have chosen to establish My name.’

1:9 And bring them to the place where I have chosen to establish My name

One thing that sets Judaism apart from other religions is the concept of a “chosen place.” Many biblical commandments are relevant only in the Holy Land, and according to some Jewish philosophers, even other biblical laws have a qualitative superiority when performed in the land. Additionally, as seen in this verse, Eretz Yisrael is meant to play a central role in the national redemption process, as it is the destination for the ingathering of the exiles. In the Tanakh, “the place,” or hamakom (המקום) in Hebrew, refers both to the land of Israel and the site of the Beit Hamikdash. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Sages teach that this word is also one of God’s seventy names.Comment

10 For they are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and Your mighty hand.

11 O Hashem! Let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to hold Your name in awe. Grant Your servant success today, and dispose that man to be compassionate toward him!” I was the king’s cupbearer at the time.

Comment ( 1 )

Can’t you just feel Nehemiah’s sorrow as he reflects on Jerusalem and ‘Remnant’ there. I love how he identifies with the people and doesn’t say ‘you sinners’ but counts himself as one of them. His trust in his G-d’s ability to bring good from this and he reminds G-d that He has said He will restore [ v 9] those who turn back to him. Same for us too, when we have ‘strayed’ or not been as close to our Creator as we should be, He restores us too. Nehemiah’s faith seems to be so complete, base on all of the experiences he has had with G-d, that he reminds G-d of his promise would indicate this. Interesting thought… when our heart, attitude and actions line up with G-d’s expectation of us, we need not be afraid of approaching him, as does Nehemiah here.

About The Israel Bible

The Israel Bible is the world’s first Bible to highlight the Land of Israel, the People of Israel, and the unique relationship between them. The Israel Bible provides an original commentary which seeks to explain God’s focus on the Land of Israel. Read More